Air Flow Sensing Unit Using Gravity Indicator for Low-Suction Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air flow sensing units require a high suction force to operate, making them unsuitable for vacuum cleaners with low-capacity suction motors, such as robot cleaners and stick type cleaners, which results in poor performance or blocked air flow passages.
Innovation Solution
An air flow sensing unit with an air flow pipe that communicates with the outside atmosphere and an indicator that moves based on air flow changes or pressure, allowing it to lift and lower due to its weight, enabling operation with low suction forces by using a position sensor to detect the indicator's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air flow sensing units using elastic springs or fans are applied to vacuum cleaners with low-capacity suction motors, then the sensing unit cannot operate properly, but using high-capacity suction motors increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical sensing mechanisms (elastic springs and rotating fans) with a gravity-based indicator system. The indicator moves passively in response to air flow pressure changes, eliminating the need for mechanical components that require high suction force to operate. This substitution enables reliable operation with low-capacity suction motors while maintaining sensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic pressure differences within the air flow passage to drive the indicator mechanism. The indicator is lifted or lowered by the pressure differential created by air flow, converting pneumatic energy directly into mechanical displacement for sensing purposes. This approach allows the system to operate with minimal suction force requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional air flow sensing units are used in bypass type air flow structures with impellers disposed upstream, then the air flow passage becomes blocked and dirt suction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the main air flow passage by positioning the indicator and air flow pipe in a separate sensing chamber that communicates with the air flow passage. This extraction prevents the sensing components from obstructing the primary air flow path, thereby maintaining dirt suction efficiency while preserving sensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary air flow pipe that connects the sensing chamber to the air flow passage. This intermediary structure allows the indicator to respond to air flow conditions without being physically present in the main air flow path, preventing blockages while enabling accurate sensing through pressure differential transmission.
3Ease of operation
If elastic springs are used to support the movable plate in air flow sensing units, then the structure becomes complex and requires high suction force to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic spring component entirely from the sensing unit structure. The indicator is supported directly by gravity and moves in response to air flow pressure, eliminating the need for elastic springs and significantly simplifying the overall structure while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from requiring high suction force (conventional systems) to responding to minimal pressure differentials (this invention). The indicator's weight is calibrated to respond to the specific pressure range generated by low-capacity suction motors, enabling operation with reduced suction force requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows the air flow sensing unit to function effectively in low flow cleaning apparatuses, preventing operational issues and maintaining dirt suction efficiency, while also reducing fabrication costs by eliminating the need for additional alarm components.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator disposed in the air flow pipe configured to be lifted according to a change in an amount of air flowing or air pressure generated by air movement in the air flow passage
Implementation Method 2
an indicator disposed in the air flow pipe configured to be lifted according to a change in an amount of air flowing or air pressure generated by air movement in the air flow passage and to lower due to a weight of the indicator
Data Source
AI summary
An air flow sensing unit, which may sense an amount of air flowing or an pressure for air flown into the cleaning apparatus by a suction motor or an impeller and inform a user of a time for emptying a dirt collecting receptacle of dust or dirt and/or a time for cleaning or replacing a filter with a new one, and a cleaning apparatus having the same are provided. The unit may include an air flow pipe to fluidly communicate an air flow passage of a cleaning apparatus with the outside, and an indicator positioned in the air flow pipe to be lifted based on a change in amount of air flowing or air pressure generated by air movement in the air flow passage and to be lowered due to a weight thereof.